Michael Richard Theodore and Dennis Coffey are names which any Detroit collector will recognise.

Dennis Coffey was a guitar player and a member of "Motown" records legendary "Funk Brothers".Both men separately scored "Disco / Funk" hits in the 1970's, but it is a 1968 collaboration which we will look at here.

The "Dearborn" record label is best known to Northern Soul fans for the "Silky Hargreaves" monster "Keep Loving Me Like You Do".

"Lucky Day" is a gentle instrumental with dreamy orchestration, there is definately more than just the one "Funk Brother" playing on this track.

I first heard this on one of "Dave Raistrick's" sales tapes back in the early 1980's and I have owned a copy ever since then.

A track my old mate "Col" used to love.

Flip it over for "Nocturnal Flower" a lightweight instrumental which is what is known as a "Grower".

The Showmen - Our Love Will Grow / You're Everything

General Norman Johnson was just 12 years old when as a member of "The Humdingers", he had his very first release.

"The Showmen" were formed in 1961 and remained active until 1968, and members included, Norman Johnson, Gene Knight, Dorsey Knight, Leslie Felton, Milton Wells, Randall Wilkins, Pearly White Jnr, Reggie Sands, Hank Rush and Greg Gallashaw.Lots of recordings by "The Showmen" have had plays in the UK, "It Will Stand" & "Country Fool" were big favourites of the original "Mod's", whereas the groups "Swan" "Minit" & "Jokers 3" releases have had big Northern Soul plays.

This fantastic double sider always reminds me of the sadly missed DJ "Bub" who never had this far away from the front of his playbox.

"General Johnson" would go on to form "Chairmen Of The Board" and have big hit's in the early 1970's.

Betty La Vette - What Condition My Condition Is In

Originally a hit for "The Lower Third" which featured "Kenny Rogers" on lead vocal, this a much stronger effort than that "Psych / Mod" number.

Listen for the magic sax break by none other than "Mike Terry".A song which tells of the dangers of taking "L.S.D.", and a record which is more in demand than ever before.

The Majestics / David & Ruben - I Love Her So Much It Hurts Me

What a classic we have here.

Originally released as "The Majestics" on "Linda", and again as the above "David & Ruben" on "Rampart" records, it did get a later major label release on "Warner Brothers" as "David & Ruben" but the horn intro was edited out.

So that is three separate labels to seek out, but it never turns up cheap, so keep your wallet handy.Classic, classic oldie.

Doris Troy - I'll Do Anything / But I Love Him

In 1963, Doris Elaine Higginsen co wrote and recorded "just One Look", which went on to be a number 10 hit in the US.

Written by "Doris" with "Gamble & Huff", this is what the "Philadelphia" sound was like in the mid 60's.This 1965 release is a classic oldie spin and is always in demand.

The flipside of the "UK" releases on "Cameo Parkway" and "Mojo" records, never got a release as a 45 in the states.

Fitting into today's tastes for a more R&B style, this is a great alternative oldie to spin.

Eddie Holman - Hold Me In Your Arms

"Eddie Holman" is no stranger to the Rare Soul scene here in the UK, from the classic oldie "I Surrender" to the unreleased "Where I'm Not Wanted" and not forgetting his 70's classic "This Could Be A Night To Remember".

This fantastic track sat in the vaults until "Grapevine" released it in 2003, and it must be from the same sessions as "Where I'm Not Wanted", and if it had been found back in the day's of the Wigan Casino, this would be a stone cold classic.Eddie Holman - She's Wanted

Here is Eddie's unreleased version of a track he co wrote for "Larry Clinton".

Sounding unfinished, if this had been known back in the day, this would have took the roof off all of the big venues.

Another great alternative oldie spin.

Kenny Lynch - Poof / Puff Up In Smoke

London born Kenny Lynch OBE was responsible for writing and recording some great 60's Pop and Soul tracks, before he started to appear on TV light entertainment shows with his mates "Tarby" and "Brucie".

Kenny recorded the immense beat ballad "Moving Away" in 1968, a record which is very much in demand in today's collecting circles.

This 1962 release made it to number 33 in the UK charts, but didn't sell a bean in the US, Making the "Big Top" release much the harder to track down.

Originally recorded by co writer "Bill Giant", Kenny takes it and injects it with 1000 volts to make this "Popcorn" classic.

A big favourite of my darling Wife :-)

Connie Francis - It's Gonna Take Me Some Time

Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero or "Connie Francis" as she is better known has had many hits over the years, but not many would be of interest to the UK soul scene.

This UK "MGM" track was never released in the states as a 45.

Made popular by the "Popcorn" scene, this just about fits into the "R&B" genre.

A couple of plays and you will be hooked, you have been warned.

Helen Shapiro - Tell Me What He Said

While aged just 14, Helen Kate Shapiro had a UK number 3 hit with "Don't Treat Me Like A Child", more hits followed, including this number 2 hit from 1962.

OK, I will hold my hand's up and admit that this doesn't have any real soul appeal, but as it has a "Popcorn" following and as it is one of the best early 60's UK pop dancers, then I thought I would include it.

Self indulgent of me, maybe, but it is a bloody good tune.

Billy Butler & The Enchanters - Gotta Get Away

Billy was born in Chicago, Illinois, and is of course the brother of "Jerry Butler".

Billy will always be better known for the immortal Northern Soul oldie "The Right Track", but don't dismiss his other "Okeh" releases as they are just as good, if not better."Gotta Get Away" was written by "Curtis Mayfield" and arranged by "Johnny Pate", and when you add to that the vocals of "Billy and The Enchanters", we have a track worthy of any Northern Soul dance floor.Billy Butler & The Chanters - My Heart Is Hurtin'

Billy wrote this next great track, and he did the job as good as "Curtis Mayfield" could have.

This was the first ever "Billy Butler" 45 that I bought, and after keeping it for years I sold it and all of my other "Okeh" records a few years ago on "Ebay", and boy do I regret it :-(

Billy Butler & The Four Enchanters - Found True Love / Lady Love

Yet another great 45 from Billy Butler, this time a great double sider.

"Found True Love" was written by Billy & Curtis and they continued with that fantastic "Chicago" sound that we have grown to love.

Flip it over for a clip clop number which I first heard on a "Popcorn" tape back in the 80's.

I must get round to buying these records back again.

Billy Young - Glendora

Originally released by "Perry Como" in 1958,

This 1963 version by "Billy Young" is a country mile away from "Perry's" Popcorn swinging number.